Gratitude by Design

If gratitude comes from being the beneficiary of goodness, then we, as Christians, ought to be the most thankful people on earth! As repentant followers of Jesus, we have received forgiveness of sins, reconciliation to the Father, the gift of eternal life, and the empowerment and comfort of the Holy Spirit. Along with our new identity, we each have been equipped with unique gifts, which we are able to use in our mission to reach the nations for Christ and in worship to Him.

We have been given so much from the Lord!

Each act of kindness should serve to draw us closer to the Lord and make us more thankful despite what hard realities may be present in this life. Despite incredible God given gifts, our heart, even as believers, can become ungrateful. From where does our ingratitude stem and how can we intentionally cultivate it? At the root, a lack of gratitude will originate with pride. There are a multitude of Biblical answers for cultivating a thankful heart that specifically target our pride and are consistently being proven by modern-day scientific research. For example, It has been found that the acts of acknowledging wrongdoing, confession, and repentance will help us grow in gratitude. In fact, studies have shown that being able to receive correction, accept limitations, apologize, not be over critical of others, and forgive- ALL effect whether or not we experience thankfulness in a full and meaningful way. Serving others, being long-suffering, enduring through difficult times, rejoicing with others, and being grateful for successes as well as the people who helped you to achieve them all increase feelings of wellbeing.

Here’s a secret; our gratefulness is tied to our relationships with others and God delights in using others for the giving of the gift.

How have you been blessed spiritually or materially?

How can you use these things to bring comfort, joy, or healing to someone else?

How might you encourage others?

What is praiseworthy and honorable in your neighbor?

Studies show that gratitude increases empathy proving a strong correlation between generosity and goal achievement. It is quite possible that gratitude increases our perception of our own happiness simply because it helps to move our focus from being self-centered to identifying the good in those around us. Likewise, perceived injustices, rigid and high expectations, bitterness, keeping a list of grievances, having a sense of entitlement, trying to control outcomes, and even choosing to withhold our thanks, according to the research, will rob us of joy and make us ungrateful.

Some of our ungratefulness may be the result of a natural bent, but it may also be learned. Are you skeptical of others’ good motives? It is common that in an atmosphere where blessings come too easily, where responsibility is removed, or where there was dysfunction a pattern of ungratefulness arises.

But a lack of thanksgiving effects our physical bodies also. Studies show that practicing gratitude lowers blood pressure, promotes immune function, helps people to cope with stress, and is a significant factor in overall physical health. Thankfulness is also reported as an important factor in sleep quality and duration, exercise, alertness, energy, heart health, outlook, and mood.

Tips for cultivating gratitude:

We should recognize that gratitude is a discipline, therefore, ingrained thought patterns and deeply rooted habits contribute to one’s thankfulness. We must, as Scripture prescribes, “Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ,” (2 Corinthians 10:5, NIV) and replace wrong thinking with that which is biblical. Practice reframing difficult or stressful times by identifying something positive that came out of the experience. Even if it is simply that you are no longer headed down the same destructive path. Even identifying a short season of blessing can help you appreciate it more.

Be thankful for failures and hardship. Christians can be thankful amidst trouble because we know that if the Lord has allowed it, it will be used for our good.

Can you see God at work through the failures of your life? Remember, we are a people of hope. God is still sanctifying us. Even when it’s hard we know HE IS seeing us through. Be thankful for His continual presence, His care of you, and His promises.

We can be thankful in the valley as well as on the mountaintop. Are you grateful to have made it through a trial in your life? You might still bear scars, but can you testify to the goodness of God? Every breakthrough, every chain broken, and every stumbling block averted is a blessing.

Write it down. Just like being specific with your gratitude is important, the physical act of writing it down will strengthen the connection of gratitude in the brain.

Use fasting as a discipline to appreciate that which we enjoy regularly.

Look for the good in people and notice God’s many blessings. How have others made your life enjoyable or easy?

Be specific. If you over generalize your appreciation it will be felt less deeply.

Are you deeply and sufficiently grateful for each specific blessing in your life? Take time to name them-platitudes avoided.

Be thankful for everyday, for everyday is a gift from God and full of purpose.

A Christian SHOULD be overflowing with gratefulness that we are no longer under the power of sin and death. It is a sober reality that we were once headed for hell and we are now headed for heaven. However, in this life, we will always be learning to hold joy and sorrow at the same time. We should, therefore, find opportunity to learn thankfulness in scarcity. Accepting our limitations and circumstances, in faith, helps us to be thankful to God for His care, immutability, and sovereignty. We can weep with those who weep and laugh with those who laugh. With authentic joy and in all seasons, take care to notice that which is good for it will grow in us a thankful and happy heart that sees others and glorifies God.

Melanie Barnfield has been married 18 years to the love of her life, Elijah, and has been blessed with 6 beautiful children. Residing in Southern IL, she is an avid reader who enjoys teaching, gardening, art, and photography. Her creative endeavors can be viewed at MelBelle Musings.